Prismex TM and 'Skinned-Prismex writing table'

Material research and development.

In 1999, myself and Tanya Dean were employed by ICI in collaboration with Philips to help research and develop the material attributes and potential applications for Prismex TM.  This resulted in numerous industrial applications derived from our research which experimented with furniture applications and bending low energy light across and around curved surfaces. We launched elements of the research at 100% Design London in 1999 including the first iteration of the Prismex Table and presented a corridor of Prismex at The V&A Museum's main entrance for London Design Festival. Further applications included street signage and architectural installations architecture such as Casson Mann's award winning installation in New York's Grand Central Station for The British Council which centred around a giant Prismex table presenting the best of British Design. Prismex TM was awarded millennium product status by the UK Government and Chamber of Commerce in 2000. 

The Skinned Prismex Writing Table' (2002) formed part of the 'Marriage of Materials project'. The table strategically composed the material narratives and nature of ultra-modern Prismex TM lighting technology with traditional leather. In use the leather becomes etched with impressions from texts written on the surface which can be rolled back to reveal an ultra-thin, super efficient, lit surface - ideal for late night laptop working.  

The table went on to be exhibited as part of the V&A Museum's major lighting exhibition 'Brilliant' (2004) and was showcased alongside the work of Ron Arad, Ingo Maurer, Castiglioni, Jurgen Bay and Marcel wanders and featured in the book accompanying the exhibition authored by Jane Pavitt.